["Weareonlysofarsensibleofpublicevilsastheyrespectourprivateaffairs。"——Livy，xxx。44。]
　　andthatthehealthfromwhichwefellwassoill，thatitselfrelievestheregretweshouldhaveforit。Itwashealth，butonlyincomparisonwiththesicknessthathassucceededit:wearenotfallenfromanygreatheight;thecorruptionandbrigandagewhichareindignityandofficeseemtometheleastsupportable:wearelessinjuriouslyrifledinawoodthaninaplaceofsecurity。Itwasanuniversaljunctureofparticularmembers，eachcorruptedbyemulationoftheothers，andmostofthemwitholdulcers，thatneitherreceivednorrequiredanycure。
　　Thisconvulsion，therefore，reallymoreanimatedthanpressedme，bytheassistanceofmyconscience，whichwasnotonlyatpeacewithinitself，butelevated，andIdidnotfindanyreasontocomplainofmyself。Also，asGodneversendsevils，anymorethangoods，absolutelypuretomen，myhealthcontinuedatthattimemorethanusuallygood;and，asIcandonothingwithoutit，therearefewthingsthatIcannotdowithit。
　　Itaffordedmemeanstorouseupallmyfaculties，andtolaymyhandbeforethewoundthatwouldelse，peradventure，havegonefarther;andI
　　experienced，inmypatience，thatIhadsomestandagainstfortune，andthatitmustbeagreatshockcouldthrowmeoutofthesaddle。Idonotsaythistoprovokehertogivemeamorevigorouscharge:Iamherhumbleservant，andsubmittoherpleasure:letherbecontent，inGod’sname。AmIsensibleofherassaults？Yes，Iam。But，asthosewhoarepossessedandoppressedwithsorrowsometimessufferthemselves，nevertheless，byintervalstotastealittlepleasure，andaresometimessurprisedwithasmile，sohaveIsomuchpowerovermyself，astomakemyordinaryconditionquietandfreefromdisturbingthoughts;yetI
　　suffermyself，withal，byfitstobesurprisedwiththestingsofthoseunpleasingimaginationsthatassaultme，whilstIamarmingmyselftodrivethemaway，oratleasttowrestlewiththem。
　　Butbeholdanotheraggravationoftheevilwhichbefellmeinthetailoftherest:bothwithoutdoorsandwithinIwasassailedwithamostviolentplague，violentincomparisonofallothers;forassoundbodiesaresubjecttomoregrievousmaladies，forasmuchasthey，arenottobeforcedbutbysuch，somyveryhealthfulair，wherenocontagion，howevernear，inthememoryofman，evertookfooting，comingtobecorrupted，producedstrangeeffects:
　　"Mistasenumetjuvenumdensenturfunera;nullumSaevacaputProserpinafugit;"
　　["Oldandyoungdieinmixedheaps。CruelProserpineforbearsnone。"——Horace，Od。，i。28，19。]
　　Ihadtosufferthispleasantcondition，thatthesightofmyhouse，wasfrightfultome;whateverIhadtherewaswithoutguard，andlefttothemercyofanyonewhowishedtotakeit。Imyself，whoamsohospitable，wasinverygreatdistressforaretreatformyfamily;adistractedfamily，frightfulbothtoitsfriendsanditself，andfillingeveryplacewithhorrorwhereitattemptedtosettle，havingtoshiftitsabodesosoonasanyone’sfingerbeganbuttoache;alldiseasesarethenconcludedtobetheplague，andpeopledonotstaytoexaminewhethertheyaresoorno。Andthemischiefon’tisthat，accordingtotherulesofart，ineverydangerthatamancomesnear，hemustundergoaquarantineinfearoftheevil，yourimaginationallthewhiletormentingyouatpleasure，andturningevenyourhealthitselfintoafever。YetallthiswouldhavemuchlessaffectedmehadInotwithalbeencompelledtobesensibleofthesufferingsofothers，andmiserablytoservesixmonthstogetherforaguidetothiscaravan;forIcarrymyownantidoteswithinmyself，whichareresolutionandpatience。Apprehension，whichisparticularlyfearedinthisdisease，doesnotmuchtroubleme;and，ifbeingalone，Ishouldhavebeentaken，ithadbeenalesscheerlessandmoreremotedeparture;’tisakindofdeaththatIdonotthinkoftheworstsort;’tiscommonlyshort，stupid，withoutpain，andconsoledbythepubliccondition;withoutceremony，withoutmourning，withoutacrowd。Butastothepeopleaboutus，thehundredthpartofthemcouldnotbesaved:
　　"VideasdesertaqueregnaPastorum，etlongesaltuslatequevacantes。"
　　["Youwouldseeshepherds’hauntsdeserted，andfarandwideemptypastures。"——Virgil，Georg。，iii。476。]
　　Inthisplacemylargestrevenueismanual:whatanhundredmenploughedforme，layalongtimefallow。
　　Butthen，whatexampleofresolutiondidwenotseeinthesimplicityofallthispeople？Generally，everyonerenouncedallcareoflife;thegrapes，theprincipalwealthofthecountry，remaineduntoucheduponthevines;everymanindifferentlypreparedforandexpecteddeath，eitherto—nightorto—morrow，withacountenanceandvoicesofarfromfear，asiftheyhadcometotermswiththisnecessity，andthatitwasanuniversalandinevitablesentence。’Tisalwayssuch;buthowslenderholdhastheresolutionofdying？Thedistanceanddifferenceofafewhours，thesoleconsiderationofcompany，rendersitsapprehensionvarioustous。Observethesepeople;byreasonthattheydieinthesamemonth，children，youngpeople，andold，theyarenolongerastonishedatit;theynolongerlament。Isawsomewhowereafraidofstayingbehind，asinadreadfulsolitude;andIdidnotcommonlyobserveanyothersolicitudeamongstthemthanthatofsepulture;theyweretroubledtoseethedeadbodiesscatteredaboutthefields，atthemercyofthewildbeaststhatpresentlyflockedthither。Howdifferingarethefanciesofmen;theNeorites，anationsubjectedbyAlexander，threwthebodiesoftheirdeadintothedeepestandlessfrequentedpartoftheirwoods，onpurposetohavethemthereeaten;theonlysepulturereputedhappyamongstthem。Some，whowereyetinhealth，dugtheirowngraves;otherslaidthemselvesdowninthemwhilstalive;andalabourerofmine，indying，withhishandsandfeetpulledtheearthuponhim。Wasnotthistonestleandsettlehimselftosleepatgreaterease？AbraveryinsomesortlikethatoftheRomansoldierswho，afterthebattleofCannae，werefoundwiththeirheadsthrustintoholesintheearth，whichtheyhadmade，andinsuffocatingthemselves，withtheirownhandspulledtheearthabouttheirears。Inshort，awholeprovincewas，bythecommonusage，atoncebroughttoacoursenothinginferiorinundauntednesstothemoststudiedandpremeditatedresolution。
　　Mostoftheinstructionsofsciencetoencourageushereinhaveinthemmoreofshowthanofforce，andmoreofornamentthanofeffect。WehaveabandonedNature，andwillteachherwhattodo;teachherwhosohappilyandsosecurelyconductedus;andinthemeantime，fromthefootstepsofherinstruction，andthatlittlewhich，bythebenefitofignorance，remainsofherimageimprintedinthelifeofthisrusticroutofunpolishedmen，scienceisconstrainedeverydaytoborrowpatternsforherdisciplesofconstancy，tranquillity，andinnocence。Itisprettytoseethatthesepersons，fullofsomuchfineknowledge，havetoimitatethisfoolishsimplicity，andthisintheprimaryactionsofvirtue;andthatourwisdommustlearnevenfrombeaststhemostprofitableinstructionsinthegreatestandmostnecessaryconcernsofourlife;
　　as，howwearetoliveanddie，manageourproperty，loveandbringupourchildren，maintainjustice:asingulartestimonyofhumaninfirmity;
　　andthatthisreasonwesohandleatourpleasure，findingevermoresomediversityandnovelty，leavesinusnoapparenttraceofnature。Menhavedonewithnatureasperfumerswithoils;theyhavesophisticatedherwithsomanyargumentationsandfar—fetcheddiscourses，thatsheisbecomevariableandparticulartoeach，andhaslostherproper，constant，anduniversalface;sothatwemustseektestimonyfrombeasts，notsubjecttofavour，corruption，ordiversityofopinions。Itis，indeed，truethateventhesethemselvesdonotalwaysgoexactlyinthepathofnature，butwhereintheyswerve，itissolittlethatyoumayalwaysseethetrack;ashorsesthatareledmakemanyboundsandcurvets，but’tisalwaysatthelengthofthehalter，andstillfollowhimthatleadsthem;andasayounghawktakesitsflight，butstillundertherestraintofitstether:
　　"Exsilia，torments，bells，morbos，naufragiameditare……
　　utnullosismalotiro。"
　　["Tomeditateuponbanishments，tortures，wars，diseases，andshipwrecks，thatthoumayestnotbeanoviceinanydisaster。"
　　——Seneca，Ep。，91，107。]
　　Whatgoodwillthiscuriositydous，toanticipatealltheinconveniencesofhumannature，andtoprepareourselveswithsomuchtroubleagainstthingswhich，peradventure，willneverbefallus？
　　"Parempassistristitiamfacit，patiposse;"
　　["Ittroublesmenasmuchthattheymaypossiblysuffer，asiftheyreallydidsuffer。"——Idem，ibid。，74。]
　　notonlytheblow，butthewindoftheblowstrikesus:or，likephreneticpeople——forcertainlyitisaphrensy——togoimmediatelyandwhipyourself，becauseitmaysofalloutthatFortunemayonedaymakeyouundergoit;andtoputonyourfurredgownatMidsummer，becauseyouwillstandinneedofitatChristmas！Throwyourselves，saythey，intotheexperienceofalltheevils，themostextremeevilsthatcanpossiblybefallyou，andsobeassuredofthem。Onthecontrary，themosteasyandmostnaturalwaywouldbetobanisheventhethoughtsofthem;theywillnotcomesoonenough;theirtruebeingwillnotcontinuewithuslongenough;ourmindmustlengthenandextendthem;wemustincorporatetheminusbeforehand，andthereentertainthem，asiftheywouldnototherwisesufficientlypressuponoursenses。"Weshallfindthemheavyenoughwhentheycome，"saysoneofourmasters，ofnoneofthetendersects，butofthemostsevere;"inthemeantime，favourthyself;believewhatpleasestheebest;whatgoodwillitdotheetoanticipatethyillfortune，tolosethepresentforfearofthefuture:andtomakethyselfmiserablenow，becausethouarttobesointime？"Thesearehiswords。
　　Science，indeed，doesusonegoodofficeininstructingusexactlyastothedimensionsofevils，"Curisacuensmortaliacorda！"
　　["Probingmortalheartswithcares。"——Virgil，Georg。，i。23。]
　　’Twerepitythatanypartoftheirgreatnessshouldescapeoursenseandknowledge。
　　’Tiscertainthatforthemostpartthepreparationfordeathhasadministeredmoretormentthanthethingitself。Itwasofoldtrulysaid，andbyaveryjudiciousauthor:
　　"Minusafficitsensusfatigatio，quamcogitatio。"
　　["Sufferingitselflessafflictsthesensesthantheapprehensionofsuffering。"——Quintilian，Inst。Orat。，i。12。]
　　Thesentimentofpresentdeathsometimes，ofitself，animatesuswithapromptresolutionnottoavoidathingthatisutterlyinevitable:manygladiatorshavebeenseenintheoldentime，who，afterhavingfoughttimorouslyandill，havecourageouslyentertaineddeath，offeringtheirthroatstotheenemies’swordandbiddingthemdespatch。Thesightoffuturedeathrequiresacouragethatisslow，andconsequentlyhardtobegot。Ifyouknownothowtodie，nevertroubleyourself;naturewill，atthetime，fullyandsufficientlyinstructyou:shewillexactlydothatbusinessforyou;takeyounocare——
　　"Incertamfrustra，mortales，funerishoram，Quaeritisetquasitmorsadituravia……
　　Poenaminorcertamsubitoperferreruinam;
　　Quodtimeas，graviussustinuissediu。"
　　["Mortals，invainyouseektoknowtheuncertainhourofdeath，andbywhatchannelitwillcomeuponyou。"——Propertius，ii。27，1。
　　"’Tislesspainfultoundergosuddendestruction;’tishardtobearthatwhichyoulongfear。"——Incert。Auct。]
　　Wetroublelifebythecareofdeath，anddeathbythecareoflife:theonetorments，theotherfrightsus。Itisnotagainstdeaththatweprepare，thatistoomomentaryathing;aquarterofanhour’ssuffering，withoutconsequenceandwithoutdamage，doesnotdeserveespecialprecepts:tosaythetruth，weprepareourselvesagainstthepreparationsofdeath。Philosophyordainsthatweshouldalwayshavedeathbeforeoureyes，toseeandconsideritbeforethetime，andthengivesusrulesandprecautionstoprovidethatthisforesightandthoughtdousnoharm;
　　justsodophysicians，whothrowusintodiseases，totheendtheymayhavewhereontoemploytheirdrugsandtheirart。Ifwehavenotknownhowtolive，’tisinjusticetoteachushowtodie，andmaketheenddifformfromalltherest;ifwehaveknownhowtolivefirmlyandquietly，weshallknowhowtodiesotoo。Theymayboastasmuchastheyplease:
　　"Totaphilosophorumvitacommentatiomortisest;"
　　["Thewholelifeofphilosophersisthemeditationofdeath。"
　　——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，ii。30。]
　　butIfancythat，thoughitbetheend，itisnottheaimoflife;’tisitsend，itsextremity，butnot，nevertheless，itsobject;itoughtitselftobeitsownaimanddesign;itstruestudyistoorder，govern，andsufferitself。Inthenumberofseveralotheroffices，thatthegeneralandprincipalchapterofKnowinghowtolivecomprehends，isthisarticleofKnowinghowtodie;and，didnotourfearsgiveitweight，oneofthelightesttoo。
　　Tojudgeofthembyutilityandbythenakedtruth，thelessonsofsimplicityarenotmuchinferiortothosewhichlearningteachesus:nay，quitethecontrary。Mendifferinsentimentandforce;wemustleadthemtotheirowngoodaccordingtotheircapacitiesandbyvariousways:
　　"Quomecomquerapittempestas，deferorhospes。"
　　["Wherevertheseasontakesme，（wherethetempestdrivesme）
　　thereIamcarriedasaguest。"——Horace，Ep。，i。i，15。]
　　Ineversawanypeasantamongmyneighbourscogitatewithwhatcountenanceandassuranceheshouldpassoverhislasthour;natureteacheshimnottothinkofdeathtillheisdying;andthenhedoesitwithabettergracethanAristotle，uponwhomdeathpresseswithadoubleweight，bothofitselfandfromsolongapremeditation;and，therefore，itwastheopinionofCaesar，thattheleastpremeditateddeathwastheeasiestandthemosthappy:
　　"Plusdoletquamnecesseest，quiantedolet，quamnecesseest。"
　　["Hegrievesmorethanisnecessary，whogrievesbeforeitisnecessary。"——Seneca，Ep。，98。]
　　Thesharpnessofthisimaginationspringsfromourcuriosity:’tisthusweeverimpedeourselves，desiringtoanticipateandregulatenaturalprescripts。Itisonlyforthedoctorstodineworseforit，wheninthebesthealth，andtofrownattheimageofdeath;thecommonsortstandinneedofnoremedyorconsolation，butjustintheshock，andwhentheblowcomes;andconsideron’tnomorethanjustwhattheyendure。Isitnotthen，aswesay，thatthestolidityandwantofapprehensioninthevulgargivethemthatpatiencempresentevils，andthatprofoundcarelessnessoffuturesinisteraccidents？Thattheirsouls，inbeingmoregrossanddull，arelesspenetrableandnotsoeasilymoved？Ifitbeso，letushenceforth，inGod’sname，teachnothingbutignorance;
　　’tistheutmostfruitthesciencespromiseus，towhichthisstoliditysogentlyleadsitsdisciples。
　　Wehavenowantofgoodmasters，interpretersofnaturalsimplicity。
　　Socratesshallbeone;for，asIremember，hespeakssomethingtothispurposetothejudgeswhosatuponhislifeanddeath。
　　[ThatwhichfollowsistakenfromtheApologyofSocratesinPlato，chap。17，&c。]
　　"Iamafraid，mymasters，thatifIentreatyounottoputmetodeath，I
　　shallconfirmthechargeofmyaccusers，whichis，thatIpretendtobewiserthanothers，ashavingsomemoresecretknowledgeofthingsthatareaboveandbelowus。Ihaveneitherfrequentednorknowndeath，norhaveeverseenanypersonthathastrieditsqualities，fromwhomtoinformmyself。Suchasfearit，presupposetheyknowit;asformypart，Ineitherknowwhatitis，norwhattheydointheotherworld。Deathis，peradventure，anindifferentthing;peradventure，athingtobedesired。’Tisneverthelesstobebelieved，ifitbeatransmigrationfromoneplacetoanother，thatitisabetteringofone’sconditiontogoandlivewithsomanygreatpersonsdeceased，andtobeexemptfromhavinganymoretodowithunjustandcorruptjudges;ifitbeanannihilationofourbeing，’tisyetabetteringofone’sconditiontoenterintoalongandpeaceablenight;wefindnothingmoresweetinlifethanquietreposeandaprofoundsleepwithoutdreams。ThethingsthatIknowtobeevil，astoinjureone’sneighbourandtodisobeyone’ssuperior，whetheritbeGodorman，Icarefullyavoid;suchasIdonotknowwhethertheybegoodorevil，Icannotfearthem。IfIamtodieandleaveyoualive，thegodsaloneonlyknowwhetheritwillgobetterwithyouorwithme。Wherefore，astowhatconcernsme，youmaydoasyoushallthinkfit。Butaccordingtomymethodofadvisingjustandprofitablethings，Isaythatyouwilldoyourconsciencesmorerighttosetmeatliberty，unlessyouseefurtherintomycausethanIdo;and，judgingaccordingtomypastactions，bothpublicandprivate，accordingtomyintentions，andaccordingtotheprofitthatsomanyofourcitizens，bothyoungandold，dailyextractfrommyconversation，andthefruitthatyouallreapfromme，youcannotmoredulyacquityourselvestowardsmymeritthaninorderingthat，mypovertyconsidered，IshouldbemaintainedatthePrytanaeum，atthepublicexpense，athingthatI
　　haveoftenknownyou，withlessreason，granttoothers。DonotimputeittoobstinacyordisdainthatIdonot，accordingtothecustom，supplicateandgoabouttomoveyoutocommiseration。Ihavebothfriendsandkindred，notbeing，asHomersays，begottenofwoodorofstone，nomorethanothers，whomightwellpresentthemselvesbeforeyouwithtearsandmourning，andIhavethreedesolatechildrenwithwhomtomoveyoutocompassion;butIshoulddoashametoourcityattheageI
　　am，andinthereputationofwisdomwhichisnowchargedagainstme，toappearinsuchanabjectform。WhatwouldmensayoftheotherAthenians？Ihavealwaysadmonishedthosewhohavefrequentedmylectures，nottoredeemtheirlivesbyanunbecomingaction;andinthewarsofmycountry，atAmphipolis，Potidea，Delia，andotherexpeditionswhereIhavebeen，IhaveeffectuallymanifestedhowfarIwasfromsecuringmysafetybymyshame。Ishould，moreover，compromiseyourduty，andshouldinviteyoutounbecomingthings;for’tisnotformyprayerstopersuadeyou，butforthepureandsolidreasonsofjustice。
　　Youhavesworntothegodstokeepyourselvesupright;anditwouldseemasifIsuspectedyou，orwouldrecriminateuponyouthatIdonotbelievethatyouareso;andIshouldtestifyagainstmyself，nottobelievethemasIought，mistrustingtheirconduct，andnotpurelycommittingmyaffairintotheirhands。Iwhollyrelyuponthem;andholdmyselfassuredtheywilldointhiswhatshallbemostfitbothforyouandforme:goodmen，whetherlivingordead，havenoreasontofearthegods。"
　　Isnotthisaninnocentchild’spleadingofanunimaginableloftiness，true，frank，andjust，unexampled？——andinwhatanecessityemployed！
　　Truly，hehadverygoodreasontopreferitbeforethatwhichthegreatoratorLysiashadpennedforhim:admirablycouched，indeed，inthejudiciarystyle，butunworthyofsonobleacriminal。HadasuppliantvoicebeenheardoutofthemouthofSocrates，thatloftyvirtuehadstrucksailintheheightofitsglory;andoughthisrichandpowerfulnaturetohavecommittedherdefencetoart，and，inherhighestproof，haverenouncedtruthandsimplicity，theornamentsofhisspeaking，toadornanddeckherselfwiththeembellishmentsoffiguresandtheflourishesofapremeditatedspeech？Hedidverywisely，andlikehimself，nottocorruptthetenorofanincorruptlife，andsosacredanimageofthehumanform，tospinouthisdecrepitudeanotheryear，andtobetraytheimmortalmemoryofthatgloriousend。Heowedhislifenottohimself，buttotheexampleoftheworld;haditnotbeenapublicdamage，thatheshouldhaveconcludeditafteralazyandobscuremanner？
　　Assuredly，thatcarelessandindifferentconsiderationofhisdeathdeservedthatposterityshouldconsideritsomuchthemore，asindeedtheydid;andthereisnothingsojustinjusticethanthatwhichfortuneordainedforhisrecommendation;fortheAtheniansabominatedallthosewhohadbeencausersofhisdeathtosuchadegree，thattheyavoidedthemasexcommunicatedpersons，andlookeduponeverythingaspollutedthathadbeentouchedbythem;noonewouldwashwiththeminthepublicbaths，nonewouldsaluteorownacquaintancewiththem:sothat，atlast，unablelongertosupportthispublichatred，theyhangedthemselves。
　　Ifanyoneshallthinkthat，amongstsomanyotherexamplesthatIhadtochooseoutofinthesayingsofSocratesformypresentpurpose，Ihavemadeanillchoiceofthis，andshalljudgethisdiscourseofhiselevatedabovecommonconceptions，ImusttellthemthatIhaveproperlyselectedit;forIamofanotheropinion，andholdittobeadiscourse，inrankandsimplicity，muchbelowandbehindcommonconceptions。Herepresents，inaninartificialboldnessandinfantinesecurity，thepureandfirstimpressionandignoranceofnature;foritistobebelievedthatwehavenaturallyafearofpain，butnotofdeath，byreasonofitself;’tisapartofourbeing，andnolessessentialthanliving。
　　Towhatendshouldnaturehavebegotteninusahatredtoitandahorrorofit，consideringthatitisofsogreatutilitytoherinmaintainingthesuccessionandvicissitudeofherworks？andthatinthisuniversalrepublic，itconducesmoretobirthandaugmentationthantolossorruin？
　　"Sicrerumsummanovatur。"
　　"Milleanimasunanecatadedit。"
　　"Thefailingofonelifeisthepassagetoathousandotherlives。"
　　Naturehasimprintedinbeaststhecareofthemselvesandoftheirconservation;theyproceedsofarashittingorhurtingtobetimorousofbeingworse，ofthemselves，ofourhalteringandbeatingthem，accidentssubjecttotheirsenseandexperience;butthatweshouldkillthem，theycannotfear，norhavetheythefacultytoimagineandconcludesuchathingasdeath;itissaid，indeed，thatweseethemnotonlycheerfullyundergoit，horsesforthemostpartneighingandswanssingingwhentheydie，but，moreover，seekitatneed，ofwhichelephantshavegivenmanyexamples。
　　Besides，themethodofarguing，ofwhichSocratesheremakesuse，isitnotequallyadmirablebothinsimplicityandvehemence？TrulyitismuchmoreeasytospeaklikeAristotleandtolivelikeCaesarthantospeakandliveasSocratesdid;thereliestheextremedegreeofperfectionanddifficulty;artcannotreachit。Now，ourfacultiesarenotsotrainedup;wedonottry，wedonotknowthem;weinvestourselveswiththoseofothers，andletourownlieidle;assomeonemaysayofme，thatIhavehereonlymadeanosegayofforeignflowers，havingfurnishednothingofmyownbutthethreadtotiethem。
　　CertainlyIhavesofaryieldedtopublicopinion，thatthoseborrowedornamentsaccompanyme;butIdonotmeanthattheyshallcovermeandhideme;thatisquitecontrarytomydesign，whodesiretomakeashowofnothingbutwhatismyown，andwhatismyownbynature;andhadI
　　takenmyownadvice，Ihadatallhazardsspokenpurelyalone，Imoreandmoreloadmyselfeveryday，[Infact，thefirsteditionoftheEssays（Bordeaux，1580）hasveryfewquotations。Thesebecamemorenumerousintheeditionof1588;
　　butthemultitudeofclassicaltextswhichattimesencumberMontaigne’stext，onlydatesfromtheposthumouseditionof1595，hehadmadethesecollectionsinthefourlastyearsofhislife，asanamusementofhis"idleness。"——LeClerc。Theygrow，however，moresparingintheThirdBook。]
　　beyondmypurposeandfirstmethod，upontheaccountofidlenessandthehumouroftheage。Ifitmisbecomeme，asIbelieveitdoes，’tisnomatter;itmaybeofusetosomeothers。SuchtherearewhoquotePlatoandHomer，whoneversaweitherofthem;andIalsohavetakenthingsoutofplacesfarenoughdistantfromtheirsource。Withoutpainsandwithoutlearning，havingathousandvolumesaboutmeintheplacewhereI
　　write，Icanpresentlyborrow，ifIplease，fromadozensuchscrap—
　　gatherers，peopleaboutwhomIdonotmuchtroublemyself，wherewithtotrickupthistreatiseofPhysiognomy;thereneedsnomorebutapreliminaryepistleofaGermantostuffmewithquotations。Andsoitiswegoinquestofaticklingstorytocheatthefoolishworld。Theselumberpiesofcommonplaces，wherewithsomanyfurnishtheirstudies，areoflittleusebuttocommonsubjects，andservebuttoshowus，andnottodirectus:aridiculousfruitoflearning，thatSocratessopleasantlydiscussesagainstEuthydemus。Ihaveseenbooksmadeofthingsthatwerenevereitherstudiedorunderstood;theauthorcommittingtoseveralofhislearnedfriendstheexaminationofthisandt’othermattertocompileit，contentinghimself，forhisshare，withhavingprojectedthedesign，andbyhisindustrytohavetiedtogetherthisfaggotofunknownprovisions;theinkandpaper，atleast，arehis。Thisistobuyorborrowabook，andnottomakeone;’tistoshowmennotthathecanmakeabook，butthat，whereoftheymaybeindoubt，hecannotmakeone。
　　Apresident，whereIwas，boastedthathehadamassedtogethertwohundredandoddcommonplacesinoneofhisjudgments;intellingwhich，hedeprivedhimselfofthegloryhehadgotbyit:inmyopinion，apusillanimousandabsurdvanityforsuchasubjectandsuchaperson。
　　Idothecontrary;andamongstsomanyborrowedthings，amgladifIcanstealone，disguisingandalteringitforsomenewservice;atthehazardofhavingitsaidthat’tisforwantofunderstandingitsnaturaluse;
　　Igiveitsomeparticulartouchofmyownhand，totheenditmaynotbesoabsolutelyforeign。Thesesettheirtheftsinshowandvaluethemselvesuponthem，andsohavemorecreditwiththelawsthanIhave:
　　wenaturalistsIthinkthatthereisagreatandincomparablepreferenceinthehonourofinventionoverthatofallegation。
　　IfIwouldhavespokenbylearning，Ihadspokensooner;Ihadwrittenofthetimenearertomystudies，whenIhadmorewitandbettermemory，andshouldsoonerhavetrustedtothevigourofthatagethanofthis，wouldIhavemadeabusinessofwriting。Andwhatifthisgraciousfavour——
　　[HisacquaintancewithMademoiselledeGournay。]——whichFortunehaslatelyofferedmeupontheaccountofthiswork，hadbefallenmeinthattimeofmylife，insteadofthis，wherein’tisequallydesirabletopossess，soontobelost！Twoofmyacquaintance，greatmeninthisfaculty，have，inmyopinion，losthalf，inrefusingtopublishatfortyyearsold，thattheymightstaytillthreescore。Maturityhasitsdefectsaswellasgreenyears，andworse;andoldageisasunfitforthiskindofbusinessasanyother。Hewhocommitshisdecrepitudetothepressplaysthefoolifhethinktosqueezeanythingoutthencethatdoesnotrelishofdreaming，dotage，anddrivelling;themindgrowscostiveandthickingrowingold。Idelivermyignoranceinpompandstate，andmylearningmeagrelyandpoorly;thisaccidentallyandaccessorily，thatprincipallyandexpressly;andwritespecificallyofnothingbutnothing，norofanysciencebutofthatinscience。Ihavechosenatimewhenmylife，whichIamtogiveanaccountof，lieswhollybeforeme;whatremainshasmoretodowithdeath;andofmydeathitself，shouldIfinditapratingdeath，asothersdo，Iwouldwillinglygiveanaccountatmydeparture。
　　Socrateswasaperfectexemplarinallgreatqualities，andIamvexedthathehadsodeformedafaceandbodyasissaid，andsounsuitabletothebeautyofhissoul，himselfbeingsoamorousandsuchanadmirerofbeauty:Naturedidhimwrong。Thereisnothingmoreprobablethantheconformityandrelationofthebodytothesoul:
　　"Ipsianimimagnirefert，qualiincorporelocatisint:multoenimacorporeexistunt，quxacuantmentem:multaquaobtundant;"
　　["Itisofgreatconsequenceinwhatbodiesmindsareplaced，formanythingsspringfromthebodythatmaysharpenthemind，andmanythatmaybluntit。"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，i。33。]
　　thisreferstoanunnaturaluglinessanddeformityoflimbs;butwecalluglinessalsoanunseemlinessatfirstsight，whichisprincipallylodgedintheface，anddisgustsusonveryslightgrounds:bythecomplexion，aspot，aruggedcountenance，forsomereasonsoftenwhollyinexplicable，inmembersneverthelessofgoodsymmetryandperfect。Thedeformity，thatclothedaverybeautifulsoulinLaBoetie，wasofthispredicament:
　　thatsuperficialugliness，whichneverthelessisalwaysthemostimperious，isofleastprejudicetothestateofthemind，andoflittlecertaintyintheopinionofmen。Theother，whichisneverproperlycalleddeformity，beingmoresubstantial，strikesdeeperin。Noteveryshoeofsmoothshiningleather，buteveryshoewell—made，shewstheshapeofthefootwithin。AsSocratessaidofhis，itbetrayedequaluglinessinhissoul，hadhenotcorrecteditbyeducation;butinsayingso，I
　　holdhewasinjest，ashiscustomwas;neversoexcellentasoulformeditself。
　　IcannotoftenenoughrepeathowgreatanesteemIhaveforbeauty，thatpotentandadvantageousquality;he（LaBoetie）calledit"ashorttyranny，"andPlato，"theprivilegeofnature。"Wehavenothingthatexcelsitinreputation;ithasthefirstplaceinthecommerceofmen;
　　itpresentsitselfinthefront;seducesandprepossessesourjudgmentswithgreatauthorityandwonderfulimpression。Phrynehadlosthercauseinthehandsofanexcellentadvocate，if，openingherrobe，shehadnotcorruptedherjudgesbythelustreofherbeauty。AndIfindthatCyrus，Alexander，andCaesar，thethreemastersoftheworld，neverneglectedbeautyintheirgreatestaffairs;nomoredidthefirstScipio。ThesamewordinGreeksignifiesbothfairandgood;andtheHolyWordoftensaysgoodwhenitmeansfair:Ishouldwillinglymaintainthepriorityingoodthings，accordingtothesongthatPlatocallsanidlething，takenoutofsomeancientpoet:"health，beauty，riches。"Aristotlesaysthattherightofcommandappertainstothebeautiful;andthat，whenthereisapersonwhosebeautycomesneartheimagesofthegods，venerationisequallyduetohim。Tohimwhoaskedwhypeopleoftenerandlongerfrequentthecompanyofhandsomepersons:"Thatquestion，"saidhe，"isonlytobeaskedbytheblind。"Mostofthephilosophers，andthegreatest，paidfortheirschooling，andacquiredwisdombythefavourandmediationoftheirbeauty。Notonlyinthementhatserveme，butalsointhebeasts，Iconsideritwithintwofingers’breadthofgoodness。
　　AndyetIfancythatthosefeaturesandmouldsofface，andthoselineaments，bywhichmenguessatourinternalcomplexionsandourfortunestocome，isathingthatdoesnotverydirectlyandsimplylieunderthechapterofbeautyanddeformity，nomorethaneverygoododourandserenityofairpromiseshealth，norallfogandstinkinfectioninatimeofpestilence。Suchasaccuseladiesofcontradictingtheirbeautybytheirmanners，donotalwayshitright;for，inafacewhichisnoneofthebest，theremaydwellsomeairofprobityandtrust;as，onthecontrary，Ihaveread，betwixttwobeautifuleyes，menacesofadangerousandmalignantnature。Therearefavourablephysiognomies，sothatinacrowdofvictoriousenemies，youshallpresentlychoose，amongstmenyouneversawbefore，oneratherthananothertowhomtosurrender，andwithwhomtointrustyourlife;andyetnotproperlyupontheconsiderationofbeauty。
　　Aperson’slookisbutafeeblewarranty;andyetitissomethingconsiderabletoo;andifIhadtolashthem，Iwouldmostseverelyscourgethewickedoneswhobelieandbetraythepromisesthatnaturehasplantedintheirforeheads;Ishouldwithgreaterseveritypunishmaliceunderamildandgentleaspect。Itseemsasifthereweresomeluckyandsomeunluckyfaces;andIbelievethereissomeartindistinguishingaffablefrommerelysimplefaces，severefromrugged，maliciousfrompensive，scornfulfrommelancholic，andsuchotherborderingqualities。
　　Therearebeautieswhicharenotonlyhaughty，butsour，andothersthatarenotonlygentle，butmorethanthat，insipid;toprognosticatefromthemfutureeventsisamatterthatIshallleaveundecided。
　　Ihave，asIhavesaidelsewhereastomyownconcern，simplyandimplicitlyembracedthisancientrule，"ThatwecannotfailinfollowingNature，"andthatthesovereignpreceptistoconformourselvestoher。
　　Ihavenot，asSocratesdid，correctedmynaturalcompositionbytheforceofreason，andhavenotintheleastdisturbedmyinclinationbyart;IhaveletmyselfgoasIcame:Icontendnot;mytwoprincipalpartslive，oftheirownaccord，inpeaceandgoodintelligence，butmynurse’smilk，thankGod，wastolerablywholesomeandgood。ShallIsaythisbytheway，thatIseeingreateresteemthan’tisworth，andinusesolelyamongourselves，acertainimageofscholasticprobity，aslavetoprecepts，andfetteredwithhopeandfear？Iwouldhaveitsuchasthatlawsandreligionsshouldnotmake，butperfectandauthoriseit;thatfindsithaswherewithaltosupportitselfwithouthelp，bornandrootedinusfromtheseedofuniversalreason，imprintedineverymanbynature。ThatreasonwhichstrengthensSocratesfromhisviciousbendrendershimobedienttothegodsandmenofauthorityinhiscity:
　　courageousindeath，notbecausehissoulisimmortal，butbecauseheismortal。’Tisadoctrineruinoustoallgovernment，andmuchmorehurtfulthaningeniousandsubtle，whichpersuadesthepeoplethatareligiousbeliefisalonesufficient，andwithoutconduct，tosatisfythedivinejustice。Usedemonstratestousavastdistinctionbetwixtdevotionandconscience。
　　Ihaveafavourableaspect，bothinformandininterpretation:
　　"Quiddixi，habereme？imohabui，Chreme。"
　　["WhatdidIsay？thatIhave？no，Chremes，Ihad。"
　　——Terence，Heaut。，acti。，sec。2，v。42。]
　　"Heu！tantumattriticorporisossavides;"
　　["Alas！ofawornbodythouseestonlythebones"]
　　andthatmakesaquitecontraryshowtothatofSocrates。Ithasoftenbefallenme，thatuponthemerecreditofmypresenceandair，personswhohadnomannerofknowledgeofmehaveputaverygreatconfidenceinme，whetherintheirownaffairsormine;andIhaveinforeignpartsthenceobtainedsingularandrarefavours。Butthetwofollowingexamplesare，peradventure，worthparticularrelation。Acertainpersonplannedtosurprisemyhouseandmeinit;hisschemewastocometomygatesalone，andtobeimportunatetobeletin。Iknewhimbyname，andhadfairreasontoreposeconfidenceinhim，asbeingmyneighbourandsomethingrelatedtome。Icausedthegatestobeopenedtohim，asIdotoeveryone。ThereIfoundhim，witheveryappearanceofalarm，hishorsepantingandverytired。Heentertainedmewiththisstory:
　　"That，abouthalfaleagueoff，hehadmetwithacertainenemyofhis，whomIalsoknew，andhadheardoftheirquarrel;thathisenemyhadgivenhimaverybriskchase，andthathavingbeensurprisedindisorder，andhispartybeingtooweak，hehadfledtomygatesforrefuge;
　　andthathewasingreattroubleforhisfollowers，whom（hesaid）heconcludedtobealleitherdeadortaken。"Iinnocentlydidmybesttocomfort，assure，andrefreshhim。Shortlyaftercamefourorfiveofhissoldiers，whopresentedthemselvesinthesamecountenanceandaffright，togetintoo;andafterthemmore，andstillmore，verywellmountedandarmed，tothenumberoffive—and—twentyorthirty，pretendingthattheyhadtheenemyattheirheels。Thismysterybeganalittletoawakenmysuspicion;IwasnotignorantwhatanageIlivedin，howmuchmyhousemightbeenvied，andIhadseveralexamplesofothersofmyacquaintancetowhomamishapofthissorthadhappened。Butthinkingtherewasnothingtobegotbyhavingbeguntodoacourtesy，unlessIwentthroughwithit，andthatIcouldnotdisengagemyselffromthemwithoutspoilingall，Iletmyselfgothemostnaturalandsimpleway，asIalwaysdo，andinvitedthemalltocomein。AndintruthIamnaturallyverylittleinclinedtosuspicionanddistrust;Iwillinglyinclinetowardsexcuseandthegentlestinterpretation;Itakemenaccordingtothecommonorder，anddonotmorebelieveinthoseperverseandunnaturalinclinations，unlessconvincedbymanifestevidence，thanIdoinmonstersandmiracles;andIam，moreover，amanwhowillinglycommitmyselftoFortune，andthrowmyselfheadlongintoherarms;andIhavehithertofoundmorereasontoapplaudthantoblamemyselfforsodoing，havingeverfoundhermorediscreetabout，andagreaterfriendto，myaffairsthanIammyself。Therearesomeactionsinmylifewhereoftheconductmayjustlybecalleddifficult，or，ifyouplease，prudent;ofthese，supposingthethirdparttohavebeenmyown，doubtlesstheothertwo—thirdswereabsolutelyhers。Wemake，methinks，amistakeinthatwedonotenoughtrustHeavenwithouraffairs，andpretendtomorefromourownconductthanappertainstous;andthereforeitisthatourdesignssooftenmiscarry。Heavenisjealousoftheextentthatweattributetotherightofhumanprudenceaboveitsown，andcutsitalltheshorterbyhowmuchthemoreweamplifyit。Thelastcomersremainedonhorsebackinmycourtyard，whilsttheirleader，whowaswithmeintheparlour，wouldnothavehishorseputupinthestable，sayingheshouldimmediatelyretire，sosoonashehadnewsofhismen。Hesawhimselfmasterofhisenterprise，andnothingnowremainedbutitsexecution。
　　Hehassinceseveraltimessaid（forhewasnotashamedtotellthestoryhimself）thatmycountenanceandfranknesshadsnatchedthetreacheryoutofhishands。Heagainmountedhishorse;hisfollowers，whohadtheireyesintentuponhim，toseewhenhewouldgivethesignal，beingverymuchastonishedtofindhimcomeawayandleavehispreybehindhim。
　　Anothertime，relyinguponsometrucejustpublishedinthearmy，Itookajourneythroughaveryticklishcountry。Ihadnotriddenfar，butI
　　wasdiscovered，andtwoorthreepartiesofhorse，fromvariousplaces，weresentouttoseizeme;oneofthemovertookmeonthethirdday，andIwasattackedbyfifteenortwentygentlemeninvizors，followedatadistancebyabandoffoot—soldiers。Iwastaken，withdrawnintothethickofaneighbouringforest，dismounted，robbed，mytrunksrifled，mymoney—boxtaken，andmyhorsesandequipagedividedamongstnewmasters。